Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve) — may relieve the pain but are unlikely to relieve the swelling constricting the tendon sheath or trapping the tendon. Most likely, you could lose mobility and strength in your thumb. I load up on meds and keep fighting the good fight...at one point I just taped my hand to the controller to keep playing! Current evidence support Therapeutic Exercise for managing Thumb Pain as the main treatment. Doing any form of exercise can be bad for you if it is not done properly. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Vanguard's Loyal. It also has a money back guarantee. What Are the Top 3 Ergonomic Gaming Chairs on the Market in Early 2020? August 8, 2016. Treatment of Thumb Osteoarthritis and Pain. Just like any other traditional sports players, professional gamers spend hours practicing their skills as well. Treatments for Gamer's Thumb If you have gamer's thumb, also known as De Quervain's tenosynovitis, we can help. Therapy . Try the exercises below to make sure the tendon doesn’t weaken and continue to create a cycle of pain. Playing through the pain … Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Trigger Thumb occurs when the tendon sheath of the thumb gets irritated resulting in inflammation. What has shut me down for some stretches is tendinitis in my hand. Thumb pain, whether it’s right thumb pain or left thumb pain, is a common symptom of thumb osteoarthritis, also known as basal joint arthritis or CMC arthritis. GAMER’S THUMB TREATMENT Rest: Meaning avoid the activities that cause pain and swelling; repetitive motion may irritate the sheath around the two tendons, causing them to thicken and swell. While you are taking the break, stretch your hands a little bit and also shake your hands. Stafford sought treatment during the game for the thumb injury, which happened on a play where the Football Team was flagged for unnecessary roughness. But I have started an eSports page you can follow over at Twitch: DrFeilgood Go check it out and let me know what you think! If you have tried to relieve your symptoms by avoiding the usual movements that make your thumb sore, apply cold compress to the area and take pain-relievers such as Advil or Motrin, but if the pain does not go away after a few days, you should consult your doctor. Once we have gone through the list, we will talk a little bit about each of the most important things you should do to prevent your thumb from getting sore and your tendons become inflamed. Never had issues with Gamer's Thumb my thumbs are probably the most durable gaming part. If you flatten your hand out with the back of your hand downward then your thumb can move in two ways. In this section we are going to talk about whether or not a gamer’s thumb is permanent, and, spoiler alert, you shouldn’t actually worry. TENS in case of finger or thumb pain. It is still early and you guys are going on mad winning streaks in Warzone or seriously ranking up in Rainbow Six Siege. Hand Therapy for Gamekeeper’s Thumb Physical therapists have a variety of therapies to use for the treatment of gamekeeper’s thumb including: 1) Manual therapy Once this happens, you might be in some discomfort, pain, or both. Gamers Thumb podcast talking about all things gaming. Initial treatment for gamekeeper’s thumb includes rest and immobilization with either a splint or a brace (for 4 to 6 weeks), elevation of the affected hand, ice and hand therapy. Believe it or not, gaming is quite tiring on your hands and upper body in general, and gamers can benefit from stretching. Our hands are simply not constructed to manipulate game controllers for hours on end. I decided to take a look at what “gamer’s thumb” is because my friend was recently told that he couldn’t play games for 4 to 6 weeks because he damaged his finger playing games. They become swollen or inflamed. If you are searching for this because you are starting to have problems with your thumb then maybe you should see a doctor. The best way to prevent this is to take regular breaks and stretch your fingers before playing games. Sometimes, however, just because there is pain or problems in the hands, it doesn’t mean the hands are where the problem originates. Loading… Unsubscribe from Dr Levi Harrison? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Read about the repetitive stress injury known as Gamer’s Thumb, what anatomy is irritated in this condition, and what can happen if left untreated. Pain-inhibiting, endogenous hormones are released by the TENS treatment and thus cause pain relief. Exercises to Reduce Gamer's Thumb . So, technically, if you overdo it when playing games or you don’t take proper precautions, yes, in the long run, it could be bad for you. We know that everybody says you need to take a break while playing games but it is not just so that you don’t get mentally fatigued, it is also so that you can get some physical rest. You may be able to resolve the issue by curtailing these motions, Anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, Exercise your thumb during regular breaks, Soak thumb in warm water during regular breaks, Foam rolling – just a few minutes help keep thumbs, fingers, and wrists feeling great. Any movement of the thumb can become very painful. There is not much more I can say to elaborate on gamer’s thumb. A 50% failure rate is reported with complete tears that are treated with bracing and early motion. The onset of this condition is often gradual. You don’t just run on a soccer field for 90 minutes. The Carpal Solution Treatment is the best treatment for Gamers with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, because it is easy to do, does not have any downtime, is private, can be done in at home during sleep. However, take the proper precautions. Some gamers can go for hours on end without taking a break. When I’m about to put in a long console gaming session I can expect a couple things: lots of trash talking amongst friends and sore thumbs (aka Gamers Thumb ). Treatment for Gamer’s Thumb Oakville. But doctors have a warning: Too much time spent on handheld devices may lead to painful hand, and even neck and spine issues. Those … Understanding Gamer’s Thumb, Prevention, and Treatment by RistRoller Crew. Do stretches on your hands and your thumb. Treatment options and prevention for thumb arthritis. In this section, we are going to make a list that is aimed to help you prevent gamer’s thumb. Everything that we do now while we are young is going to affect us eventually. Conservative noninvasive treatments may include: Rest. This type of movement is called radial abduction. What is it: Pressure of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist due to overuse. So, in this article, we are going to take a look at what gamer’s thumb is, how to prevent it, what to do if you get it, and also whether or not gaming is bad for your hands. Thumb arthritis is a chronic condition that usually cannot be completely cured. How to get rid of gamer’s thumb. The latter being the one I’m here to help you with today and the former can be improved by watching some toxic Twitch streamers. Cancel Unsubscribe. If you’re a parent, there’s no way around it…your kids have likely spent entirely too much time on their tablets, smartphones and any other kind of electronic devices this summer. I love gaming and spending time on the computer, I even competed in esports in the early 00s. Medications. So, I highly recommend that you keep on reading if you are at all concerned. Prevention: Gamers should rest their thumbs for at least 1-2 minutes for every 20 minutes of game time. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'cyberathletiks_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_8',611,'0','0']));Let’s jump straight into it! Without treatment, the pain may affect the thumb and forearm. Holding the controller for hours on end for so many days in a row has really done me in. Most video game controllers require the thumbs to take the brunt of the activity, and that often leads to a condition known, appropriately enough, […] The condition affects about 0.5% of males and 1.3% of females. However, if it keeps happening to you or if you don’t treat it properly, there is a risk that you can do permanent damage to your thumb. Give your thumbs time to rest. Gamer’s Thumb. Clear vs Yellow Gaming Glasses | How To Choose. Like I said when I said looking silly is better than missing out for 4 weeks, not playing for 24 hours is a lot better than not playing for 4 weeks because you were stubborn and didn’t want to stop playing. link to Clear vs Yellow Gaming Glasses | How To Choose. Low-grade RSIs can sometimes resolve themselves if treatments begin shortly after the onset of symptoms. Well, let’s find out in this section. 19 likes. Gamer’s Thumb involves the inflammation of the fluid-filled sheath or tunnel (called the synovium) that surrounds the two tendons that control movement of the thumb. That is pretty much it. The most common mechanisms of injury for gamer’s thumb overuse, exacerbated by poor wrist position, and chronic inflammation. Eye Drops For Gamers | Are They Necessary? Should You Start Your Own Practice or Clinic? Gamer’s thumb is a short and easy way of saying your tendons are inflamed. Treatment involves avoiding activities that bring on the symptoms, pain medications such as NSAIDs, and splinting the thumb. Let’s say, every 2 hours at least. If the tear is partial, and the thumb is not too loose, the patient is usually placed in a cast or a modified wrist splint (called a thumb spica) for 4 to 6 weeks. If you have got gamer’s thumb and you are starting to panic, please don’t. Your doctor will probably order a splint that will hold your thumb and wrist firm and still. There is a break halfway. It can become almost unthinkable to call in an early night when you are having so much fun, but you have to do it I guess. I'm Stuart. I recommend getting up, taking a walk just outside in your yard or anywhere. Performing this exercise routine may help reduce your risk for all gamer injuries, including gamer’s thumb. For now, though, let’s answer this question.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'cyberathletiks_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',170,'0','0'])); Gamer’s thumb itself is not permanent. Specific treatment options include: Pain medications. A TENS application on the fingers can relieve painful tension and has a blocking effect on the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Gamer’s Thumb is exactly what it sounds like; pain associated with too much typing, texting, gaming or anything that puts repetitive strain on the thumb and wrist such as texting, typing and tapping with a stylus. Video games are designed for human beings, but human beings are not designed to play video games. It is important to note that treating De Quervain's syndrome, also known as gamer's thumb, at home or without the direction of a doctor is possible, however, severe or chronic De Quervain's syndrome should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider since, if left untreated, De Quervain's syndrome can result in permanent injury and a loss of your range of motion and grip strength. The ONE THING You Need to Escape the Rat Race and Start Your Own Business, Carrying a baby (hence “mother’s wrist” and “mommy thumb”), Rest: Meaning avoid the activities that cause pain and swelling; repetitive motion may irritate the sheath around the two tendons, causing them to thicken and swell. However, if you are in serious pain then as always, you should see a doctor. Hand function can be affected when Osteoarthritis in Carpal-Metacarpal joint (CMC) of the thumb appears. People who are experiencing pain from thumb arthritis may benefit from various pain medications. Hand & wrist position: it is important to keep your wrists neutral! Just do what you love doing and stop worrying about it. Gamers Thumb and How to Treat it. But that puts great strain on your thumbs. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'cyberathletiks_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_0',612,'0','0']));Yep, I know it sounds really silly but trust me, it works. Therefore, treatments focus on controlling symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. I love gaming and spending time on the computer, I even competed in esports in the early 00s. On Monday, Stafford downplayed the severity of the injury and indicated he expects to play on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. The latter being the one I’m here to help you with today and the former can be improved by watching some toxic Twitch streamers. But you need to take a break from gaming to allow your tendons to heal. Thumb Pain: Treatment & Exercises (Double Gamers Thumb) Dr Levi Harrison. Look, we can go on and on about home remedies for what to do when you have gamer’s thumb, and trust me, I am going to bore you with them in just a little bit. Eating too much, running too much, walking too much, and lifting heavyweights in the gym can all be bad. He did not miss a snap but had the thumb and hand taped after the initial incident. There is almost nothing that you can do that isn’t bad for you in some way. Your first move should be to try and prevent it from happening, other than that, here is a list of a few things that you can do when you have gamer’s thumbeval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'cyberathletiks_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',173,'0','0'])); “Playing games is bad for your hands” sounds like something my mother would have said to me if I didn’t want to get off the console and study but was there any truth to it? Two common stenosing tenosyonvitis diagnoses are: Locking, clicking, and pain is felt in on the front of the thumb (“fingerprint” down to palm) and / or on the back of the thumb (fingernail down to wrist). Make sure you shake your hands and just find any way that you can stretch them. It is not nice to get hurt when we are doing something we enjoy doing but it is a real thing that we need to look out for. Rest!Meaning avoid the activities that cause pain and swelling; repetitive motion may irritate the sheath around the two tendons, causing them to thicken and swell. As a result of this inflammation, there is impairment of the natural movements of the thumb, as well as pain with any attempts at bending the thumb. Treatment. It is when your tendons become inflamed and your thumb obviously becomes stiff and sore. If your thumb starts to get sore or any of your fingers start to get sore, just stop playing immediately. It is inexpensive and reimbursed by health insurance. Some esports players spend Some esports players spend Gamer's Thumb is one of the most common type of eSports injury. Wellfie Wednesday Blog Post: Healthcare Literacy (Hint: Insurance). For all hand & wrist injuries, we’ve created a comprehensive injury prevention program. Also, do exercises. Get started today! Exercise is the best treatment for tendon injuries like Gamer’s thumb, everything else only offers temporary pain relief. Symptoms of De Quervain’s or Text Thumb include pain on the thumb side of the wrist, pain and/or weakness when gripping or rotating the wrist and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist. Take 10 to 15 minutes every hour. Radial deviation(bending your wrists towards your thumb) increased the risk of developing gamer’s thumb. What is If the tear is complete or if the patient has significant instability due to t… This happens due to overuse of gadgets that require you to fiddle with your thumb for longer periods of time. I think, as gamers, we have all probably been in a situation where our eyes have started to hurt. Here’s a video from our Youtube channel explaining why you should consider more than just the hands: eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'cyberathletiks_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',613,'0','0']));I have already mentioned that gaming can be quite stressful on your hands and think about any sport that you do. Trust me, looking silly is a lot better than not being able to play games for 4 weeks because your tendons got inflamed. Lately I just get my ass kicked by my wife in Dr Mario.